Thumbnail History of Montana Governors

By Tom Cook, Montana Historical Society

Joseph K. Toole1889-1893

Governor Joseph K. Toole, a Democrat from Helena, was born May 12, 1851, in Savannah, Missouri. A former territorial Legislator, and territorial delegate to the United States Congress, Governor Toole was elected Montana's first Governor in 1889 and served until 1893. Governor Toole led Montana through the first years of statehood and equally divided legislatures to ensure continuity in state government. Toole was a popular governor and was re-elected to the post for two more terms from 1901 to 1908.

John E. Rickards1893-1897

Governor John E. Rickards, a Republican, was born July 23, 1848 in Delaware City, Delaware. Montana's first Lieutenant Governor, Governor Rickards served from 1893 to 1897. As Montana's second governor Rickards oversaw the creation of the state legal code and continued to build Montana's infrastructure in the first years of statehood.

Robert B. Smith1897-1901

Governor Robert B. Smith, a Democrat-Populist, was born December 29, 1854, in Hickman County, Kentucky. A former delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Governor Smith served from 1897 to 1901. Under Montana's third governor, the State University at Missoula, the State Agricultural College in Bozeman, and the Normal (Teacher) School in Dillon were created.

Governor Joseph K. Toole was re-elected governor in 1901 and served for two terms. He resigned due to health reasons in 1908.

Edwin L. Norris1908-1913

Governor Edwin L. Norris, a Democrat from Great Falls, was born August 15, 1865, in Cumberland County, Kentucky. A former Lieutenant Governor, Governor Norris served from 1908 to 1913. Governor Norris signed laws prohibiting discrimination by life insurance companies and passed health laws and made mine operators liable to their employees in case of disability.

Samuel Stewart1913-1921

Governor Samuel V. Stewart, a Democrat from Madison County, was born in August 2, 1872, in Monroe County, Ohio. A former Virginia City attorney and Supreme Court Justice, Governor Stewart served from 1913 to 1921. A conservative Democrat during Montana's Progressive period, Stewart led the state though the very difficult times surrounding World War I. During his term of office Montana enacted a Sedation Act and the Council of Defense.

Joseph M. Dixon1921-1925

Governor Joseph M. Dixon, a Republican from Missoula, was born June 31, 1867, in Snow Camp, North Carolina. A former Congressman, United States Senator and Bull Moose Party presidential campaign manager for Teddy Roosevelt, Governor Dixon served from 1921 to 1925. During his time as governor the farsighted Dixon worked to bring economic stability to Montana and mitigate the effects of a destructive drought. He was the architect of Initiative 28 that sought to equalize Montana's tax burden, ensuring that corporations paid appropriate taxes.

John E. Erickson1925-1933

Governor John E. Erickson, a Democrat from Choteau, was born March 14, 1863, in Stoughton, Wisconsin. A former district court judge and Teton County Attorney, "Honest John" served from 1925 to 1933. As the only governor elected three times, Erickson worked to lead Montana through the Depression. In 1931 Erickson signed a new state income tax into law. He resigned in 1933 to be appointed to the United States Senate.

Frank H. Cooney1933-1935

Governor Frank H. Cooney, a Democrat, was born December 31, 1872, in Ontario, Canada. A Butte and Missoula businessman, Cooney was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1933. After succeeding Erickson, Cooney served as acting governor until 1935. During his time in office he worked with the federal government to ensure the success of the New Deal. He also reformed the state liquor laws and established a water conservation program. He died in office of heart failure in 1935.

William E. Holt1935-1937

Governor William Elmer Holt, a Democrat was born October 14, 1884, in Savannah, Missouri. As President Pro-Tempore of the Montana Senate from Miles City, he assumed the governorship as a result of Governor Cooney's death in 1935. He served until 1937.

Roy E. Ayers1937-1941

Governor Roy E. Ayers, a Democrat, was born November 9, 1882, near Lewistown, Montana Territory. A former United States Congressman, Governor Ayers served from 1937 to 1941. Ayers was the first governor born in what became the state of Montana. During his term, Ayers oversaw the expansion of state bureaucracy and signed a bill to give the governor new powers in directing state government.

Samuel C. Ford1941-1949

Governor Samuel C. Ford, a Republican, was born November 7, 1882, in Albany, Kentucky. A former Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice, Governor Ford served from 1941 to 1949. During his term, Ford reduced the state bureaucracy and faced such issues as a state sales tax, the management of public education, and state liquor control.

John W. Bonner1949-1953

Governor John W. Bonner, a Democrat from Butte, was born July 16, 1902, in Silver Bow County, Montana. A former Attorney General, Governor Bonner served from 1949 to 1953. A veteran of World War II, Bonner laid out a liberal program for Montana that included the School Foundation Program, which provided state funds to equalize educational standards and opportunities.

John Hugo Aronson1953-1961

Governor John Hugo Aronson, a Republican from Cut Bank, was born September 1, 1891, in Gallstad, Sweden. "The Galloping Swede" was a former Glacier County Senator and Hi-Line businessman. Governor Aronson served from 1953 to 1961. Aronson authorized the exclusive revenue for the state Highway Department with the creation of state gasoline user taxes. Governor Aronson also authorized the creation of the Legislative Council to assist the legislative branch in the creation of necessary law.

Donald G. Nutter1961-1962

Governor Donald G. Nutter, a Republican from Sidney, was born November 28, 1915, in Lambert, Montana. A winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II, former Richland County Senator and State Chairman of the Republican Party, Governor Nutter served from 1961 to 1962. Facing a revenue shortfall, Nutter signed a budget that cut expenditures for state government. He was killed in an airplane crash at Wolf Creek in January of 1962.

Tim. M. Babcock1962-1969

Governor Tim. M. Babcock, a Republican from Billings, was born October 27, 1919, in Littlefork, Minnesota. A former legislator, Governor Babcock was elected lieutenant governor with Nutter and succeeded him upon his death in 1962 and served until 1969. Babcock moderated the budget signed by Nutter, and proposed a 3 percent sales tax to support state government. Governor Babcock went on to represent Montana on the Republican National Committee.

Forrest H. Anderson1969-1973

Governor Forrest H. Anderson, a Democrat, was born January 30, 1913, in Helena, Montana. A former Helena legislator, Attorney General, and Supreme Court Justice, Governor Anderson served from 1969 to 1973. Anderson's reorganization of state government combined over 100 state agencies into 19 departments and increased the efficiency of state government. Governor Anderson also authorized the 1972 Constitutional Convention and implemented the new constitution once it was ratified.

Thomas L. Judge1973-1981

Governor Thomas L. Judge, a Democrat, was born on October 12, 1934, in Helena, Montana. A former Helena legislator and Lieutenant Governor, Governor Judge served from 1973 to 1981. The Judge administration worked closely with the legislature to implement environmental protection policies including the Montana Environmental Policy Act, and the Major Facility Siting Act. Governor Judge also signed the Coal Severance Tax into law in 1975.

Ted Schwinden1981-1989

Governor Ted Schwinden, a Democrat, was born August 3, 1925, in Wolf Point, Montana. A farmer, former Wolf Point legislator, and former Lieutenant Governor, Governor Schwinden served from 1981 to 1989. Through fiscally principled government Schwinden guided Montana through difficult economic times. His "Build Montana" economic plan and his popular traveling "Capital for a Day" events were the hallmarks of his administration.

Stan Stephens1989-1993

Governor Stan Stephens, a Republican from Havre, was born September 16, 1929, in Alberta, Canada. A former legislator, Governor Stephens served from 1989 to 1993. As a part of his term, he oversaw the 1989 Montana Statehood Centennial celebration.

Marc Racicot1993-2001

Governor Marc Racicot , a Republican from Missoula and Helena, was born July 24, 1948, in Thompson Falls, Montana. A former county prosecutor, and Attorney General, Governor Racicot worked with the Legislature to eliminate a $200 million deficit in 1993, and to produce a $22.4 million budget surplus by 1995. At the Governor's request, the Legislature approved refunding the money to state taxpayers. Governor Racicot went on to become Chairman of the Republican National Committee.